Chapter 167 – Displeasure
At this point, Gu Xi had no idea who was Grand Madam speaking to, and it was only when she heard a clear and pleasant voice that she was shocked to realize that it was Yu Tang who was speaking to Grand Madam.
Although she knew she shouldn’t, she still couldn’t help but prick up her ears and listen.
“Don’t say that, Grand Madam, you’re being too polite.” Yu Tang apologetically replied, “I received a gift without doing anything to merit it. It was just an offhand remark I made, but I didn’t expect that it would create problems for Third Master. I, I’m really ashamed of myself.”
What she said was her genuine, heartfelt thoughts.
It was probably because she’d sent Shuang Tao to ask Ah Ming about the cloak and Ah Ming reported it to Pei Yan. Pei Yan then must have told Grand Madam about this and asked her to help him explain.
That’s how this conversation came about.
With Pei Yan being so frank and honest, it made her appear to be petty.
She was somewhat ashamed to meet Pei Yan again.
Grand Madam also felt that Yu Tang was making a mountain out of a molehill. However, Yu Tang was still a little girl, and staying in someone else’s house, it was only right to be more cautious.
She replied, ”It’s good that you don’t take it to heart. I’ve already admonished him and told him to inform me of his concerns in the future. I don’t have much to do right now, so if he has something that I can help with, it will be perfect to pass the time with!”
Grand Madam was the patriarch’s wife before, so for family matters as big as weddings and funerals to the smallest of matters like minor spats between sisters-in-law, all of them would find her to handle them, and she was so busy every day that she had no time to rest. Her three sons were all raised by their nursemaid, and now that she was suddenly idle, she really was a little unaccustomed to it.
Only Pei Yan, knowing of her loneliness, let those young ladies at home frequently visit her and chat.
It was only a pity that several of them were too young to really accompany her and talk, which was why Yu Tang was invited back to their house.
Yu Tang didn’t know about those reasons, she only thought that Grand Madam was only comforting her, and she became even more embarrassed, thinking to add on a few words of apology, but suddenly there was the voice of Daniang Ji from outside, saying “Lady Gu, you’ve arrived!”
While Gu Xi was listening intently, she was abruptly asked a question. As she panicked inside, she couldn’t help but show a little on her face and hurriedly answered, “I’ve just arrived. Somehow, there weren’t any servants along the way, and just as I was wondering what was happening, Auntie came in.” As she spoke, her heart gradually stabilized, and a smile appeared at the corners of her mouth as she asked in return, “When did Auntie come over? To think I thought there was no one in the courtyard!”
Pei Yan recently went off.
Before that, Grand Madam had sent away all those serving around her.
Ji Daniang simply assumed that Gu Xi had coincidentally arrived and didn’t think much of it, smiling, “I only saw Lady Gu over here from afar.” She added, “You’re here to greet Grand Madam, right? Please wait a moment, I’ll go and report your arrival.”
Grand Madam had already heard the conversation outside and thus didn’t make any pretensions, saying loudly, “It’s Lady Gu, isn’t it? Quickly please come in and sit.”
Gu Xi breathed out in relief and replied, “There’s no need for you to invite me so politely. Just call for me directly.” She walked in with a smile.
Yu Tang got up and greeted her, and the two of them sat down beside Grand Madam on her left and right.
Gu Xi pouted and said to Yu Tang: “Why didn’t you call for me when you were coming over? I had to blindly wait for you at my residence for a while.”
Yu Tang was very experienced in dealing with Gu Xi. She smiled and replied, “I’ll remember to ask you to come along with me next time.”
And she didn’t say anything more about it.
Gu Xi felt as though she had punched her fists on cotton, and she couldn’t help but feel a sense of consternation in her heart as she began to look intently at Yu Tang.
Yu Tang was all too familiar with her expressions and small movements, and couldn’t help but secretly sigh in her heart when she saw this.
She and Gu Xi really weren’t compatible!
In her previous life, she was her sister-in-law, and Li Duan had unscrupulous intentions, so there was no way about it. In this life, they were unrelated and she had done her very best to avoid Gu Xi so how could she still be targeted by Gu Xi?
Yu Tang became slightly upset.
In her previous life, Gu Xi did everything she could to keep her husband’s love, and she could understand that, but in this life, she and Gu Xi didn’t have any animosity over husbands or fathers, so why Gu Xi still acting like this?
Yu Tang coldly laughed in her heart. No longer would she tolerate and avoid her behaviour.
She lowered her head and sipped her tea, thinking that if Gu Xi still dared to provoke her, she wouldn’t mind giving Gu Xi a little lesson.
Luckily, not long after, several Pei family’s ladies and second madam come over and the hall was filled with laughter and it was very lively, which swept away Yu Tang and Gu Xi’s little unhappiness.
But when Yu Tang returned to her room, Shuang Tao could not help but ask in a low voice, “Will we really have to wait for Lady Gu and go together to see Grand Madam later?”
Fourth young lady was undeterred in wanting grilled meat, as she again asked if they could have it today. Grand Madam agreed and arranged for everyone to come back in the late afternoon to go to the garden with a hundred years old acacia tree to have the barbecue. Therefore, after everyone had lunch at Grand Madam’s place, they went back to their rooms to have a siesta.
Yu Tang chuckled, “It’s only a passing comment, did you think I was serious?”
Shuang Tao’s jaw dropped.
Yu Tang laughed and pulled the thin quilt to her chest as she closed her eyes and said, “Sleep!”
Shuang Tao could only retreat furtively.
Yu Tang, however, was thinking about Second Miss.
Gu Xi was obviously trying to curry favour with second young miss. What was so valuable about Second young miss for Gu Xi to scheme over?
She had been hovering around second young miss all morning.
On Pei Yan’s side, she had misunderstood him …… Yu Tang’s face was burning hot with embarrassment.
It is really humiliating!
Should she pretend that nothing happened and just let it go? Or should she go and apologize to Pei Yan?
Yu Tang was lost in thought and didn’t know when she fell asleep.
When she woke up, she realized that the sun was already low in the sky.
How did this happen?
Yu Tang was alarmed and shouted “Shuang Tao”.
Shuang Tao jogged in and asked, “Miss, what’s wrong?”
Yu Tang’s face was heavy as she asked, “What time is it now?”
Shuang Tao smiled and explained, “Miss, you are unaware of this. While you were sleeping, Daniang Ji from Grand Madam’s place made a special trip over, saying that Grand Madam had something to attend to in the afternoon, and therefore all the young ladies need not come over. I see that you were sleeping so soundly, so I did not want to disturb you. I figured I’d wait until Pei young ladies were going to the barbecue and inform you then. Unexpectedly, the Pei family’s young ladies didn’t come over this afternoon, and as I was afraid that they perhaps forgot to call you, I specially asked Liu Shu to go over and ask, but it turns out that they were detained by Second Madam and were practicing their writing, and didn’t go to the barbecue at all.”
Yu Tang was startled, “How could this be?”
Shuang Tao looked around and saw that there was no one else around before whispering in Yu Tang’s ear, “I heard that someone from the capital came. First, they went to the main residence, but third master was not there, so second master accompanied him up the mountain. For fear of running into the honoured guests, the women in the inner courtyard were all confined and not allowed to venture out.”
Yu Tang was frightened.
Who was it that made all the women in the Pei family avoid at such great lengths?
She thought for a moment and asked Shuang Tao, “What did Lady Gu do this afternoon?”
Gu Xi always had better information than her, and deducing from her whereabouts, she could infer whether the visitor from the capital was a good or bad thing. This was the easiest method she could think of.
Shuang Tao replied, “She was embroidering with Second Young Miss in the room!”
“Embroidering all afternoon?” Yu Tang was a little surprised.
Shuang Tao nodded and said, “Previously, Hexiang also walked about, but this afternoon she didn’t even leave for a moment.”
In other words, the visitor’s status was truly distinguished. At the very least, it was honourable enough to deter Gu Xi.
Who was it that had such authority?
Yu Tang speculated for quite some time and still didn’t have a clue, so she simply put this matter aside, thinking that she would find an opportunity to ask Grand Madam directly.
The evening meal was also eaten at their respective residences.
Early the next morning, word spread.
The person was Zhang Shao, the eldest son of Pei Yan’s mentor, Zhang Ying.
A few days ago, he was appointed as governor of Jiangxi, so this time as he was on his way to Jiangxi and specially made a detour to visit Pei Yan.
But this still wasn’t reason enough for all the women of the Pei Family to go to such lengths to avoid him?
Yu Tang felt that Zhang Shao’s purpose for visiting wasn’t simple.
She asked Daniang Ji, who came to give her a hairpin, “Was it because you were afraid that we’ll disgrace ourselves in front of Minister Zhang?”
“Not at all!” DaNiang Ji laughed, “The Zhang family has a good relationship with our family, Esteemed Minister Zhang came and spoke with Grand Madam for the whole afternoon, and stayed in Grand Madam’s place to have the evening meal, so it was not proper to have young ladies over.”
Is that really the case?
Then the relationship between the Zhang family and the Pei family was really excellent.
There was no way that a mere teacher-student friendship could explain this level of closeness!
Yutang pushed her suspicions to the back of her mind, as she picked a budding yellow camellia and smiled, “Does this courtyard have a warm pavilion?”
DaNiang Ji smiled, “Yes there is a warm pavilion, it’s right next to the plum-blossom grove, if Miss wants to go, you can tell me in advance. Several of Eldest Madam’s orchids are kept there, and Eldest Madam often goes to the warm pavilion to care for the flowers and plants.”
Yu Tang smiled and nodded, rewarding Daniang Ji with a red packet and personally escorting her out the door.
Shuang Tao was puzzled, and asked “Why is Miss rewarding Daniang Ji? She is always very caring towards us.”
During this period of time, not only was she following Liu Shu in learning the rules, but she was also observing how Daniang jI and Daniang Chen treated everyone.
Yu Tang felt that this was a good thing and encouraged her to do so, and she would ask straightforwardly if she had any questions in her mind.
She gently taught her, “What did you hear from Daniang Ji?”
Shuang Tao thought hard before shaking her head.
Yu Tang remarked, “She’s telling me not to visit the warm pavilion casually.”
Shuang Tao let out an “Ah” of realisation.
They have stayed in this courtyard for several days now, and apart from that particular day, they have not seen Eldest Madam again.
It was evident that the relationship between Eldest Madam and Grand Madam was just like what was rumoured, and was not good. Since she entered the residence through Grand Madam, it would be best for her not to engage with Eldest Madam.
Shuang Tao instantly understood.
As Yu Tang’s side was able to get this information, Gu Xi was also informed if it. Unlike Yu Tang’s calmness and composure, Gu Xi’s heart was in turmoil and she couldn’t make up her mind.
The Pei family actually had such a close relationship with the Zhang family.
No wonder her brother wanted to marry her off to Pei Yan.
Zhang Shao’s father, Zhang Ying, need not be mentioned. His great-uncle was once the emperor’s tutor, and his grandfather had once served as the Grand Chancellor of the Wu Ying Hall and as head of the Cabinet, and was a renowned and capable official recorded in the history books. He also had brother in law now working in the Da Li Temple as Secretary, and a cousin in the Ministry of of Justice as the chief minister. It can be said that the Zhang family was one of the most prominent official families in this dynasty.
This stirred up her emotions.
However, even after her extended period of stay here, and Grand Madam was seemingly easy to talk to, she had not accomplished a single thing that she had set out to do.
More importantly, she was running out of time.
It would soon be the New Year’s.
She couldn’t stay in the Pei family for the New Year’s, could she?
Eldest Madam often went to the warm pavilion, and Eldest Madam was at odds with Grand Madam, so should she take advantage of this?
Gu Xi paced back and forth in her room.
Chapter 167 – Displeasure
At this point, Gu Xi had no idea who was Grand Madam speaking to, and it was only when she heard a clear and pleasant voice that she was shocked to realize that it was Yu Tang who was speaking to Grand Madam.
Although she knew she shouldn’t, she still couldn’t help but prick up her ears and listen.
“Don’t say that, Grand Madam, you’re being too polite.” Yu Tang apologetically replied, “I received a gift without doing anything to merit it. It was just an offhand remark I made, but I didn’t expect that it would create problems for Third Master. I, I’m really ashamed of myself.”
What she said was her genuine, heartfelt thoughts.
It was probably because she’d sent Shuang Tao to ask Ah Ming about the cloak and Ah Ming reported it to Pei Yan. Pei Yan then must have told Grand Madam about this and asked her to help him explain.
That’s how this conversation came about.
With Pei Yan being so frank and honest, it made her appear to be petty.
She was somewhat ashamed to meet Pei Yan again.
Grand Madam also felt that Yu Tang was making a mountain out of a molehill. However, Yu Tang was still a little girl, and staying in someone else’s house, it was only right to be more cautious.
She replied, ”It’s good that you don’t take it to heart. I’ve already admonished him and told him to inform me of his concerns in the future. I don’t have much to do right now, so if he has something that I can help with, it will be perfect to pass the time with!”
Grand Madam was the patriarch’s wife before, so for family matters as big as weddings and funerals to the smallest of matters like minor spats between sisters-in-law, all of them would find her to handle them, and she was so busy every day that she had no time to rest. Her three sons were all raised by their nursemaid, and now that she was suddenly idle, she really was a little unaccustomed to it.
Only Pei Yan, knowing of her loneliness, let those young ladies at home frequently visit her and chat.
It was only a pity that several of them were too young to really accompany her and talk, which was why Yu Tang was invited back to their house.
Yu Tang didn’t know about those reasons, she only thought that Grand Madam was only comforting her, and she became even more embarrassed, thinking to add on a few words of apology, but suddenly there was the voice of Daniang Ji from outside, saying “Lady Gu, you’ve arrived!”
While Gu Xi was listening intently, she was abruptly asked a question. As she panicked inside, she couldn’t help but show a little on her face and hurriedly answered, “I’ve just arrived. Somehow, there weren’t any servants along the way, and just as I was wondering what was happening, Auntie came in.” As she spoke, her heart gradually stabilized, and a smile appeared at the corners of her mouth as she asked in return, “When did Auntie come over? To think I thought there was no one in the courtyard!”
Pei Yan recently went off.
Before that, Grand Madam had sent away all those serving around her.
Ji Daniang simply assumed that Gu Xi had coincidentally arrived and didn’t think much of it, smiling, “I only saw Lady Gu over here from afar.” She added, “You’re here to greet Grand Madam, right? Please wait a moment, I’ll go and report your arrival.”
Grand Madam had already heard the conversation outside and thus didn’t make any pretensions, saying loudly, “It’s Lady Gu, isn’t it? Quickly please come in and sit.”
Gu Xi breathed out in relief and replied, “There’s no need for you to invite me so politely. Just call for me directly.” She walked in with a smile.
Yu Tang got up and greeted her, and the two of them sat down beside Grand Madam on her left and right.
Gu Xi pouted and said to Yu Tang: “Why didn’t you call for me when you were coming over? I had to blindly wait for you at my residence for a while.”
Yu Tang was very experienced in dealing with Gu Xi. She smiled and replied, “I’ll remember to ask you to come along with me next time.”
And she didn’t say anything more about it.
Gu Xi felt as though she had punched her fists on cotton, and she couldn’t help but feel a sense of consternation in her heart as she began to look intently at Yu Tang.
Yu Tang was all too familiar with her expressions and small movements, and couldn’t help but secretly sigh in her heart when she saw this.
She and Gu Xi really weren’t compatible!
In her previous life, she was her sister-in-law, and Li Duan had unscrupulous intentions, so there was no way about it. In this life, they were unrelated and she had done her very best to avoid Gu Xi so how could she still be targeted by Gu Xi?
Yu Tang became slightly upset.
In her previous life, Gu Xi did everything she could to keep her husband’s love, and she could understand that, but in this life, she and Gu Xi didn’t have any animosity over husbands or fathers, so why Gu Xi still acting like this?
Yu Tang coldly laughed in her heart. No longer would she tolerate and avoid her behaviour.
She lowered her head and sipped her tea, thinking that if Gu Xi still dared to provoke her, she wouldn’t mind giving Gu Xi a little lesson.
Luckily, not long after, several Pei family’s ladies and second madam come over and the hall was filled with laughter and it was very lively, which swept away Yu Tang and Gu Xi’s little unhappiness.
But when Yu Tang returned to her room, Shuang Tao could not help but ask in a low voice, “Will we really have to wait for Lady Gu and go together to see Grand Madam later?”
Fourth young lady was undeterred in wanting grilled meat, as she again asked if they could have it today. Grand Madam agreed and arranged for everyone to come back in the late afternoon to go to the garden with a hundred years old acacia tree to have the barbecue. Therefore, after everyone had lunch at Grand Madam’s place, they went back to their rooms to have a siesta.
Yu Tang chuckled, “It’s only a passing comment, did you think I was serious?”
Shuang Tao’s jaw dropped.
Yu Tang laughed and pulled the thin quilt to her chest as she closed her eyes and said, “Sleep!”
Shuang Tao could only retreat furtively.
Yu Tang, however, was thinking about Second Miss.
Gu Xi was obviously trying to curry favour with second young miss. What was so valuable about Second young miss for Gu Xi to scheme over?
She had been hovering around second young miss all morning.
On Pei Yan’s side, she had misunderstood him …… Yu Tang’s face was burning hot with embarrassment.
It is really humiliating!
Should she pretend that nothing happened and just let it go? Or should she go and apologize to Pei Yan?
Yu Tang was lost in thought and didn’t know when she fell asleep.
When she woke up, she realized that the sun was already low in the sky.
How did this happen?
Yu Tang was alarmed and shouted “Shuang Tao”.
Shuang Tao jogged in and asked, “Miss, what’s wrong?”
Yu Tang’s face was heavy as she asked, “What time is it now?”
Shuang Tao smiled and explained, “Miss, you are unaware of this. While you were sleeping, Daniang Ji from Grand Madam’s place made a special trip over, saying that Grand Madam had something to attend to in the afternoon, and therefore all the young ladies need not come over. I see that you were sleeping so soundly, so I did not want to disturb you. I figured I’d wait until Pei young ladies were going to the barbecue and inform you then. Unexpectedly, the Pei family’s young ladies didn’t come over this afternoon, and as I was afraid that they perhaps forgot to call you, I specially asked Liu Shu to go over and ask, but it turns out that they were detained by Second Madam and were practicing their writing, and didn’t go to the barbecue at all.”
Yu Tang was startled, “How could this be?”
Shuang Tao looked around and saw that there was no one else around before whispering in Yu Tang’s ear, “I heard that someone from the capital came. First, they went to the main residence, but third master was not there, so second master accompanied him up the mountain. For fear of running into the honoured guests, the women in the inner courtyard were all confined and not allowed to venture out.”
Yu Tang was frightened.
Who was it that made all the women in the Pei family avoid at such great lengths?
She thought for a moment and asked Shuang Tao, “What did Lady Gu do this afternoon?”
Gu Xi always had better information than her, and deducing from her whereabouts, she could infer whether the visitor from the capital was a good or bad thing. This was the easiest method she could think of.
Shuang Tao replied, “She was embroidering with Second Young Miss in the room!”
“Embroidering all afternoon?” Yu Tang was a little surprised.
Shuang Tao nodded and said, “Previously, Hexiang also walked about, but this afternoon she didn’t even leave for a moment.”
In other words, the visitor’s status was truly distinguished. At the very least, it was honourable enough to deter Gu Xi.
Who was it that had such authority?
Yu Tang speculated for quite some time and still didn’t have a clue, so she simply put this matter aside, thinking that she would find an opportunity to ask Grand Madam directly.
The evening meal was also eaten at their respective residences.
Early the next morning, word spread.
The person was Zhang Shao, the eldest son of Pei Yan’s mentor, Zhang Ying.
A few days ago, he was appointed as governor of Jiangxi, so this time as he was on his way to Jiangxi and specially made a detour to visit Pei Yan.
But this still wasn’t reason enough for all the women of the Pei Family to go to such lengths to avoid him?
Yu Tang felt that Zhang Shao’s purpose for visiting wasn’t simple.
She asked Daniang Ji, who came to give her a hairpin, “Was it because you were afraid that we’ll disgrace ourselves in front of Minister Zhang?”
“Not at all!” DaNiang Ji laughed, “The Zhang family has a good relationship with our family, Esteemed Minister Zhang came and spoke with Grand Madam for the whole afternoon, and stayed in Grand Madam’s place to have the evening meal, so it was not proper to have young ladies over.”
Is that really the case?
Then the relationship between the Zhang family and the Pei family was really excellent.
There was no way that a mere teacher-student friendship could explain this level of closeness!
Yutang pushed her suspicions to the back of her mind, as she picked a budding yellow camellia and smiled, “Does this courtyard have a warm pavilion?”
DaNiang Ji smiled, “Yes there is a warm pavilion, it’s right next to the plum-blossom grove, if Miss wants to go, you can tell me in advance. Several of Eldest Madam’s orchids are kept there, and Eldest Madam often goes to the warm pavilion to care for the flowers and plants.”
Yu Tang smiled and nodded, rewarding Daniang Ji with a red packet and personally escorting her out the door.
Shuang Tao was puzzled, and asked “Why is Miss rewarding Daniang Ji? She is always very caring towards us.”
During this period of time, not only was she following Liu Shu in learning the rules, but she was also observing how Daniang jI and Daniang Chen treated everyone.
Yu Tang felt that this was a good thing and encouraged her to do so, and she would ask straightforwardly if she had any questions in her mind.
She gently taught her, “What did you hear from Daniang Ji?”
Shuang Tao thought hard before shaking her head.
Yu Tang remarked, “She’s telling me not to visit the warm pavilion casually.”
Shuang Tao let out an “Ah” of realisation.
They have stayed in this courtyard for several days now, and apart from that particular day, they have not seen Eldest Madam again.
It was evident that the relationship between Eldest Madam and Grand Madam was just like what was rumoured, and was not good. Since she entered the residence through Grand Madam, it would be best for her not to engage with Eldest Madam.
Shuang Tao instantly understood.
As Yu Tang’s side was able to get this information, Gu Xi was also informed if it. Unlike Yu Tang’s calmness and composure, Gu Xi’s heart was in turmoil and she couldn’t make up her mind.
The Pei family actually had such a close relationship with the Zhang family.
No wonder her brother wanted to marry her off to Pei Yan.
Zhang Shao’s father, Zhang Ying, need not be mentioned. His great-uncle was once the emperor’s tutor, and his grandfather had once served as the Grand Chancellor of the Wu Ying Hall and as head of the Cabinet, and was a renowned and capable official recorded in the history books. He also had brother in law now working in the Da Li Temple as Secretary, and a cousin in the Ministry of of Justice as the chief minister. It can be said that the Zhang family was one of the most prominent official families in this dynasty.
This stirred up her emotions.
However, even after her extended period of stay here, and Grand Madam was seemingly easy to talk to, she had not accomplished a single thing that she had set out to do.
More importantly, she was running out of time.
It would soon be the New Year’s.
She couldn’t stay in the Pei family for the New Year’s, could she?
Eldest Madam often went to the warm pavilion, and Eldest Madam was at odds with Grand Madam, so should she take advantage of this?
Gu Xi paced back and forth in her room.
